Simple Things - Gifts to Each Other

 

(Nature's Christmas Trees - Simple Gifts!

Taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Cranberry Ridge Overlook) 

 “The Difficulty of Simplicity”

Lectionary Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Christmas Hymn of the Day – “Simple Gifts” – Shaker Hymn

 

Based on: Matthew 6:19-34

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

 

"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

 

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

 

"So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

 

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the 

kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJ)

 

‘Tis a gift to be simple, ‘Tis a gift to be free,

‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

 

When true simplicity is gained, 

To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.

To turn, turn, will be our delight,

‘Till by turning, turning, we come round right.

 

~ Meditation ~

“The Difficulty of Simplicity”

It is interesting to me to note through the reading of the Scriptures how many of the concerns of daily life today are the same as they were in Jesus’ day.  We have just read Jesus’ words to us about not worrying about clothing, and food, and where we shall live, and all of these things that so consume our thoughts on a daily basis. 

Something else about which we worry, which can and should be included  in a modern list of what not to worry about is what we’re going to give people for Christmas gifts.

Yes, we have the same needs and the same worries - - - food, clothing, possessions, health, others. The Greek word for “sound” also means “simple” or “single”. We should consider how, in our own world in our day, we can follow Jesus’ emphasis on singleness of purpose; one focus, one master, one goal. 

 

Jesus tells us to seek first His kingdom and not to worry about the rest of it. How do we do that? Think about how we do that. Think about a single life experience of yours - - - pared
down to its most simple elements.  What’s it like? Focus on the King of Kings – His kingdom – His righteousness.
How does the situation change?

 

“Simple Gifts” is an old, classic Shaker hymn. It is carefree and joyous of spirit. Shakers would often dance to this song, celebrating the gift of simplicity, a wonderfully freeing gift, leading to the “valley of love and delight”. Our word “simple”, derived from the Latin word meaning “single”, sometimes has negative or austere connotations. Singing this hymn can help us regain a right perspective on the gift and discipline of simplicity.

 

The Scripture referenced here shows us that life has always been complicated.  Possessions have always required time and effort to protect. Food and clothing have always been concerns. Some of us worry about where our next meal is coming from while others of us worry about how many fat grams are in our breakfast cereal.

 

Technology, prosperity, and political freedom may increase our choices, but they do not prohibit our responsibility from practicing simplicity. It may make our need for it all the more acute, in fact. Practicing simplicity extends way beyond possessions. We need to simplify our schedules. Do any of us truly “seek first His kingdom” before we write in our datebooks? Do we enjoy simple entertainment? Do we enjoy reading, walking, singing?

 

What about simplicity of personality? Getting rid of pretense and seeking to bless rather than impress? Can we see and accept the gift to “come down where we ought to be?”  There is such a thing as simple faith. This is not simplistic faith at all which asks no questions. It is childlike faith, which, though full of questions, trusts in a wise loving Father. 

Simplicity is needed in every area of our lives.  How do we both get and practice this gift of simplicity? It begins with singularity or simplicity of heart. It involves turning and “re” turning again and again to simple focus; to always “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” in the certainty that our needs will be met by the loving grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father.

 

Prayer – Our Father, we confess that we lead lives that are anything but simple, and that we run around at times like gerbils in a cage, not even stopping long enough to take a breath. Teach us the beauty and wisdom of simple living, for we need this so desperately. Slow us down, Lord, and free us from the tyranny of the complexities of our lives, for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. ~

 

Activity - For the next month, allow yourself to utter daily the words of the hymn, ‘Simple Gifts’. Think “simple” in your plans for the holidays. Try to adopt the philosophy that “less is more” wherever you can possibly do so.